RECLAIM MY HEART(15)

The first time she and Lucas spent the night together, they packed sleeping blankets, sandwiches, fresh fruit, and water, and they slipped off into the woods together on a moonless summer night. She had lied to her parents—blatantly and boldly—and she hadn’t been bothered by a single twinge of guilt for doing it. Even now, she grinned at the monumental audacity she’d exhibited back then when it came to finding ways to be with Lucas.
His ability to build a fire, construct a lean-to for shelter, and, yes, speak the soft syllables that made up the words of his native tongue had impressed her. But she’d been so utterly in lust with him at the time, she’d have agreed to spend the night with him at the complete mercy of the elements dur pielementing a monsoon.
“It’s so dark,” she complained, right after a screech owl had let out a heart-stopping shriek. She snuggled up against him, and he chuckled at her fear. Then he assured her there was nothing in the woods that would harm them.
“I chose the night of the New moon for a good reason,” he told her. “Less chance of us being seen.” Then he slid his arm around her shoulders. “And it’s also a night when the stars really put on a show.”
They were miles away from street lamps and house lights, far from town and neighborhoods. The sky was an inky dome, a perfect backdrop for the stars that glittered like gem chips, sapphires, rubies, emeralds, and, of course, a multitude of diamonds.
Their kisses and caresses had been innocent, at first, but when their breathing became labored, they had peeled off their clothes with no inhibitions. Lying naked in his arms beneath the dazzling stars had Tyne experiencing a freedom like she’d never felt in her life.
His golden brown skin rippled with muscle, his hands and lips on her body ignited powerful urges in her. His breath was soft against her cheek as he hovered over her.
“I can see the stars shining in your eyes,” he whispered. “And you’re more beautiful than a whole universe of stars.”
She marveled at how comfortable he seemed voicing those kinds of opinions, compliments that could almost be poetic. It was curl-your-toes romantic.
He stroked his fingertips down her neck and chest, over her breast, and then he lowered his head and took the dark peak into his mouth. She’d gasped at the deliciousness of it, and it seemed like the most natural thing in the world to lift her hips and press herself against him.
When he entered her that first time, the pain made her eyes go wide. He’d apologized, hugged her, kissed her, and soon, she was panting and writhing beneath him.
Their first time had ended a bit awkwardly, with both of them feeling unsure where to focus their gazes or rest their hands, but they fixed that by practicing for two full days. And even though they’d been young and inexperienced when they’d walked into those woods, they’d been quick to learn at least some of the erogenous secrets the other held. Over the course of that long, lazy weekend, they made slow, sensuous love, and swift, sweaty love, and every other type of love they could think of to make.
Screwing hadn’t been their only pastime. They’d walked through the lush forest, they’d fished in a nearby stream. Lucas had laughed when Tyne squealed over having caught a fish. He’d cleaned it, and she’d done her best to cook it, and he’d pronounced it the most delicious fillet on a stick he’d ever eaten; she agreed.
They’d celebrated by getting naked and playing in the knee-high creek. When she saw the leech that attached itself to her calf, she’d screamed and run. Lucas had to catch her, and then he told her to sit tight. He’d gone to the fire, deftly lit the end of a thin twig, and then blew out the flame. One careful touch of the glowing ember had the slimy creature releasing its hold and dropping to the ground. Lucas cleaned the blood from her leg and kissed away her tears, and then they made love right there on the mossy bank.
That’s when he’d called her Am?w? for the very first time. That’s the moment he’d told her he loved her; he’d spoken the words with such intensity, Tyne had difficulty holding his gaze. Her eyes welled with tears and she’d been sure the very fabric of her heart would rip apart from the immense emotion swelling there.
Tyne blinked several times and shoved herself up from the mattress, the ache in her heart keeping steady time with the heavy throb between her legs. Damn it. Lookenoumn it. d like a nap wasn’t on the agenda, after all. Maybe what she needed was a cool shower. No maybe about it.
She reached for her robe and headed for the door.
CHAPTER FIVE
Wikweko’s Artists’ Alley consisted of a winding, brick walkway that ran a full block between Main Street and Water Street. Signs clearly marked the Alley at both ends, Lucas told Zach and Tyne, for the growing tourist trade. The three of them entered town on Main Street and swung around the block to park in the lot located on Water Street, so they were able to view the quaint lane of galleries from one end then the other.
Zach sucked in his breath as he opened the car door. “Yowch,” he grumbled, gently shaking his right hand.
“Those blisters will callous over in no time,” Lucas assured him.
Tyne shut her door and lifted her face to the bright summer sunshine. For three afternoons she’d been left to her own devices while Zach and Lucas had disappeared with a packed lunch, a jug of water, and the bow. Tyne wasn’t sure where they’d gone each day, but they returned home in time to eat the dinner she prepared. They must have done a lot of hiking because Zach seemed too tired to talk much in the evenings. Which meant he was also too tired to argue with or snap at her.